The Program The ASM Research Capstone Fellowship Program is the successor program to the ASM-Microbiology Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program, formerly the Minority Undergraduate Research Fellowship program from several years ago.

The goal of this program is to “fulfill the later stages of undergraduate professional development” for underrepresented minority students (URM). This program seeks to enhance the presentation skills of students after their research experiences. The ASM Research Capstone Fellowship Program will focus on enhancing presentations and networking skills, and provide students with resources to transition to disciplinary scientific meetings.Prospective applicants must have conducted research in microbiology prior to applying to the program.

Application Process Prospective applicants must:

Have participated in an undergraduate research program at a U.S. based institution

Submit a research abstract for presentation to ASM Microbe 2017Note: For more details on abstract submissions to ASM Microbe 2017, click here.

Selected students will:

Present the research at a national meeting

Attend the Research Capstone Institute before ASM Microbe 2017, to enhance their chances of furthering their graduate/professional training

EligibilityPreference will be given to juniors and seniors. Applicants can include: community college, post-bacccalaureate, and undergraduate students. However, applicants must follow the eligibility criteria below.

Applicants must:

Be an ASM member,

Be U.S. citizen or Permanent U.S. resident,

Be enrolled as full-time matriculating undergraduate student during the 2016-2017 academic years or in a post-baccalaureate program. (Freshmen with college level research experience, sophomores, juniors, or seniors who will not graduate before December 2016),

Be from an underrepresented minority group (groups include African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Alaskan Natives, and Pacific Islanders), a community college, a minority serving institution, a first generation college student or non-traditional student,

Have conducted research in the microbiological sciences at a U.S institution (host mentor is not required to be an ASM member, butrecommended),

Have a strong interest in obtaining a research career and post-graduate training in research within the microbiological sciences, and

Be accepted to present a poster or oral presentation at ASM Microbe

Note: Students cannot be a previous recipient of a UR-Capstone award

FundingThe UR-Capstone program is supported by funds provided by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM).The awards package includes:

Up to $1500 travel support will be provided for students who will attend the ASM Research Capstone Institute and present the results of their research project at ASM Microbe 2017. Travel support will cover airfare, hotel accommodations, and the ASM Microbe Meeting registration

Travel funds are contingent upon acceptance of an abstract for ASM Microbe 2017

Criteria for SelectionStudent applicants should be able to demonstrate:

Academic achievement

Achievement with previous research experiences or independent projects

Commitment to research

Career goals as a research scientist

Personal motivation to participate in the program

Leadership skills

Involvement in activities that serve the needs of underrepresented groups.

Deadline

January 20thApplicationThe application is currently available by clicking here.For more information, contact:ASM Undergraduate Research Capstone Program (UR-Capstone) Education BoardAmerican Society for Microbiology1752 N Street, NWWashington, DC 20036Tel: 202-942-9283/Fax: 202-942-9329fellowships@asmusa.org